Tractor



0. M. MARSH.

TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED OCT. B11918.

Patented Feb. 10,1920.

5 SHEETSSHEET I- (27 We? azwzamz/ C. M. MARSH.

T RACTOR.

APPLICATION FlLED OCT. 8' i918.

Patented Feb. 10;19 20.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2- m w\wv Ind auoauto'z LS ordJlM/azsrfi attain;

C. M. MARSH.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. s. 1918.

1,330,084. Patented'Feb. 10,1920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- c. M. MARSH.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8. 191B.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

C. M. MARSH.

TRACTOR. I

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8. 1918.

1,330,084. Patented Feb. 10,1920.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5- auuanto z ewmm 22 (7 Jiansi W I I UNITED STATES. PATENTOFFICE.

CLIFFORD MYRAM MARSH, or GLENS Farms, NEW YORK, AssIGNOR To MARSH-WALTERS COMPANY, OF GLnNs rams, new YORK, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

TRACTOR.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

Application filed October 8, 1918. Serial No..25 7,322.

To all whom it may 00mm.-

Be it' known that I, CLIFFORD MYRAM MARSH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Glens Falls, in the county of. Warren and State ofNew'York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tractors, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention .relates to improvements in tractors of the one-wheeltype, proposing a tractor which is advantageously adapted toagricultural work or to hauling operations on city streets or onhighways.

The principal objects of the'invention are to provide for the resilientsuspension of the wheel while maintaining its alinement and maintainingthe substantial rigidity Of the main frame, and to provide a tractororganization of exceedingly simple and durable character and having asubstantially'uniform or balanced distribution of the weight, in whichthe motor and transmission ele ments shall be arranged within the 'mainframe thereby achieving compactness, in V which the external vibrationsandshocks reacting on the motor and connected parts are reduced to aminimum and in which the control devices may be arranged injuxtaposition and in any easily-accessible location.

With the above objects in view, the invention consists in certain novelfeatures of structure, combination and relation which will be set forthin detail asthe description proceeds;

. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in V wh ich: I Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tractor inwhich the features of the invention are incorporated.

Fig.2 is a plan view thereof, the control devices being omitted topromote clearness I tannn plates 5 secured by screws or equivaofillustration.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the hue 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view showing'de- V tails of the main frame'and of the control devices. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sectionalviews onthe respective lines 55 and '66 of 2. Fig. 7 8 and 9 are detailsectionalvlews on the respective lines 7..7,8 8 and 919 of Fig. 4.

horizontal annular flange 2.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

The main frame of the tractor consists of two concentric rings 1 and 2,of which one, preferably the inner ring 1, is rotatable about a centralaxis, and theother, the outer ring 2, is relatively stationary. Therings 1 and 2 may have any desired crosssectional form and relationwhereby they will be held against relative displacement in the directionof their common central axis and may rotate, one on the other, with aminimum of friction. For these purposes, the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8 .is, as now' considered, preferred. As shown, thering 1 has a channeled crosssection which affords a vertical cyindricalflange l a'nd ,circumscribing horizontal upper and lower flanges 1 and1; and the ring 2 is provided with an inwardly-projecting The ring 1 ispreferably made in two sections secured by screws or equivalentfastenings 1 and the horizontal flange 1 is formed on the upper section,the sections being fitted and secured to one another after the assemblyof'the ring 2;

The, flange 2 projects between and cooperates with the flanges 1 and 1to prevent relative vertical displacement of the rings. Such cooperationis made effective, by the arrangement of horizontal roller bearings 3between the flanges 2 andl and of roller bearings 4 between the flanges2 and 1. The bearings 3 and 4 are preferably arranged in groups disposedat regular intervals, each group conveniently consisting of threebearings 3 and three bearings 4. The pintles, of said bearings arefitted in the vertical portions of the ring 2 and and in relentfastenings6 to the flange '2;

in supporting plates 8 which are preferably secured to the flange 2 Thering 2 has attached thereto a suitable anism may be employed.

7 i 24, am 26. The

- brackets or hangers 22 flange 1 rearWardly-projecting draft orcoupling frame A which may carry the drivers seat (not shown) A, j

In steering, the ring 1 is turned about its central axis. Any desiredsteering 1nech As shown, an endless steering chain 9 (Fig. 4:) encirclesthe flange 1 for the greater part of itscir cumference and is connectedto said flange at any desired point or points lO. chain?) passes througha clearance 11 (Fig. 1) between the ring 2 and the flange 19and istrained over idler sprockets 12 and over an actuating sprocket 18, thelatter being mounted upon a vertical steering shaftld which carries theusual hand-wheel 15. The axles of the sprockets 12 and the steeringshaft 14 are conveniently mounted in the frame 'A.

The tractor includes a single wheel 16 which rearranged in a diametrlcalplane of the main frame and is resiliently connected thereto. Theconstruction which as now considered is preferred consists of a pair ofsemi elliptie springs 17 and 18- to whose centers the wheel 16 isconnected by brackets 19 and 20, respectively, these being clamped orotherwise suitably made fast to said springs. The springs 17 and 18 arearranged at opposite sides of the wheel 16, parallel to the major planethereof, and are carried by the ring 1, being hung from links orshackles 21' which permit play of the ends of the springs whileconnecting them to :The Wheel 16is mounted upon a driving axle 23 whichoperates in suitable bearings bearings 24 and 26 adjoin the ends of theaxle 23 and the bearings 2t and 25 adjoin the at opposite sidesthereof.The bracket 20 has U-shaped. cross-sectional outline and at its upperends is provided with collars 28 adapted to be somewhat loosely fittedupon the casings of thebearings 25 and'26 and serving as the connectionsbetween said bracket and the axle 23. The bracket 19 is provided at itsupper end with a similar collar 29 which is similarly fitted over thecasing of the bearing 24,- A spacing sleeve 30 is preferably arrangedbetween the collar 29 and the hub of the wheel. p

The wheel 16 is driven by a suitable motor 31 which may be arranged atone side of f said wheel and as supported, preferably rigidly, from thering 1. The support for the motor 31 as shown and preferred cons sts ofa pair of bars 32 of angle iron cross section and which are formed attheir ends in clearances 3-1 (Fig. 9) formed in the upper section of thering 1 and being suitahlv secured to the flange 1*;

The 2 depending from the" hub of the wheel by; asuitable end conpli Thedrive from the motor 31 to the Wheel 16 utilizes driven from the shaft5360f said motor by suitable gearing, preferably consisting of a chain37 operating over sprocket Wheels on .he shafts 35' and 36,respectively. The Y gearing between the eountershaft 35 and theadjoinsthe motor and may be of any "suit able constructmn. It preferablyincludes a two-speed and reverse transmission system The mounting of thesprings 17 and 18,

as described, permi s aslight longitudinal displacement; of the wheel16', e'. 6., a' displaceinent of said wheel in the direction of plane,relative to the main frame and in connection with this feature and with.the

axle 23 extends radially from' said shaft at .the S1(l(- of the wheelopposite to that which between the motor shaft 36 and the axle provisionmade for insuring that the displacement of the wheel shall be about axiscoincident with the driving center, i. at the countershaft 35;Accordingly,

the shaft 35 is mounted concentrically vwithin a sleeve ll which issupported by upright brackets 42 from the ring 1 and is. connected tothe axle 23 by linkages of equal and constant length at opposite sidesof .thewheel. In the preferred construction disclosed the linkage atthe'sjide of the wheel adjacent the motor consists of a stabilizing orradius rod 43, while the link-1 age at the opposite side of the 'wheelconsists of the casing 44: which incloses the gear train between theshaft 35 andthe axle 28 and which is composed of three parts rigidlyconnected together, VlZI-flll end part as in,-

' closing the miter gearing 39," an' intermediate part are inclosing thechangespeed gearing 3S,and an end part 4 1 inclosingthe mitergearing 40.The linkage arms L3 are preferably made fast to' the sleeve 4C1- wherebythe displacement of either of said arms will be transmitted tothe'other. Ac-

cordingly, the sleeve 41 and the casing vpart 7 I provided on thebrackets 42, the rod 43 is ld are capable of turning in'bearings 45secur dto said sleeve by clamp l6 and the cart is secured to saidsleeve:

g or fastening 41 The casing part 4% is p eferably provided with a studor projection 4: 1 by which it has end supportin a bracket bearingmounted on the ring 1. At its inner end the rod' l3'earries a collar l7concentric and rotatable relatively to the axle This collar may,-asshown, be. utilized as the casing ofthe bearing 24; and-is fittedwithinthe collar 29 and spacing sleeve 30,3the latter having a vertical slot48 (Fig. 5 through which the rod-43 projects, The casing part 44 whichfits between the upright arms of the bracket 20, is also concentric androtatable relatively to the axle 23 and may, as shown, have at its endssleeve-like extensions 49 which are utilized as the casings of thebearings 25 and 26. It is to be noted that clearance or space isprovided between the casing part 44 and the base of the bracket 20 inorder that the spring 18 may have free play relatively to said casingpart. j

' It will be apparent that the rod 43, sleeve 41 and casing 44 form a Uwhich fulcrums about its bow and has said bow co-axial with the countershaft 35, and that the wheelhas an adequate resilient suspension yet iskept positively alined While at the same time the substantial rigidityof the main frame is maintained, compensation is provided for the arethrough which the axis of the wheel is movable, shocks or vibrationsreacting on the motor and associated parts are reduced to a minimum, anda uniform distribution or balance of the weight is effected.

The control devices and their linkage form no part of the presentinvention. Any required number of control devices may be employed andthey may be of any desired construction, except that compensation mustbe made for the relative turning movements of the rings 1 and 2. Anadvantageous construction is disclosed wherein each control device, ofwhich three are shown, in the drawings, includes a ring 50 arrangedconcentric to the central axis of the rings 1 and 2 and providing acompensating connection between the part which is associated with therelatively stationary ring 2 and the other part which is associated withthe rotatable ring 1. Such parts are shown diagrammatically ascomprising lever arms 51 associated with the ring 2 and carrying therespective concentric rings 50 and. lever arms 52 associated with thering 1 and provided with angular terminals 53 which overhang and engagethe respective rings 50 and preferably carry anti-friction rollers 54.

The arms 51 are suitably offset (see Fig. 1) whereby to avoidinterference with relative turning movements of the rings 50 and theangular lever terminals 53, and are pivotally supported by a transverserod 55 fitted in brackets 56 secured to the framing 57 of the hood (notshown), each arm 51 having an operating pedal or extension 58 whichprojects rearward through a'slot 59 (Fig. 4) in the dash board 60. Thearms 52 are pivotally supported by a bracket 61 mounted on a bar orequivalent part 62 by which it is connected to the ring 1. It will beap-[ parent that each ring 50 may be raised or lowered by its arm 51 toeffect the operation of the corresponding arm 52 and the parts connectedthereto and will function for such I purpose in any position which therings 1 supported from and within said rotatable element to participatein the turning movement thereof, said element having its turn ingmovement about a vertical axis passing centrally through said wheel andthe latter functioning both for driving and for'steering, leaf springsparallel to said wheel at opposite sides thereof and upon the centralportions of which said wheel is mounted, pivoted shackles connected tothe ends of said springs and by" which they are hung from said element,a motor supported by said element at one side of said wheel, atransverse counter shaft supported by said element at a'fixed elevationand driven by said motor, gearing betweensaid shaft and said wheel atthe side of the latter opposite said motor, and radius connectionsbetween said wheel at opposite sides thereof and said shaft whereby thewheel, when displaced, will move about the shaft as an axis, saidconnections including a casing for said gearing. I

2. A tractor having a frame pro ided with an annular rotatable element,a single wheel supported from and within said rotatable element toparticipate in the turning movement thereof, said element having itsturning movement about a vertical axis passing centrally through saidwheel and the latter functioning both for driving and for steering,springs at opposite sides of said wheel to which the latter isconnected, said springs providing balanced support for said framerelatively to said wheel, a counter shaft supported by said frametransverse to i said wheel, a motor supported by said frame at one sideof said wheel and geared to said counter shaft, gearing between saidcounter shaft and said wheel at the side thereof opposite said motor,and radius connections between said wheel at opposite sides thereof andsaid shaft whereby the wheel, when dis placed, will move about the shaftas an axis.

3. In a tractor, a rotatable annular frame element, a single wheellocated centrally withinsaid element, a pair of springs connected tosaid element at opposite sides of said wheel and upon whichsaid wheel ismountecL-a motor supported .by said element at one side of said wheel, acounter shaft supported by said element transverse to said wheel and towhich said motor is geared, gearing between said counter shaft and saidwheel at the side thereof opposite said motor, and radius connectionsbetween said wheel and said countershaft at opposite sides of said wheelwhereby the wheel, when displaced, will move-about the shaft as an axissaid connections includin a casino for a a a V in said gearing;

4. In atractor, a rotatable annular frame element, a single Wheeldisposed centrally within said frame element, a counter shaft supportedby said frame element transverse to said wheel, a system of gearingbetween said counter shaft and said Wheel consisting of a change speedgear train, miter gear. eleinents connecting said train at one end tosaid counter shaft and other miter gear elements connecting said trainat the other end 1 of'said wheel, a motor supported by said element atthe side of said Wheel opposite said gearing and geared to said countersh aft, rad ius connections between said wheel at opposite sides thereofand said counter shaft, and springs at opposite sides of said wheel uponwhich the latter is mounted and which are connected to saidelement.

5. A tractor having an annular frame composed of inner and outer ringsrelatively rotatable about a common central axis, the 1nner ring beingof channeled cross sect on and having an annularvertical portion andupper and lower annular flanges projecting 7 outward from said verticalportion and the V outer ring being disposed vertically'between saidflanges and having a centrally arranged annular flange pro ecting inwardtoward said vertical portion, vertically disposed roller bearingscarried by the outer ring and engaging the portions of said outwardlyprO ectmg flanges which overhang said cen-' trally arranged flange andhorizontally dis posed roller bearings also carried by the outer ringand operating in thehorizontal plane of said centrally arranged flangeto en- Witnesses: v

SARAH BOWNE MARSH, DANIEL F. IMR'rE.

CLIFFORD MYRAM Miissri;

